CHAP. 11. (4.)—TURNIPS; THOSE KNOWN AS BUNION AND BUNIAS: FIVE REMEDIES.
The Greeks distinguish two kinds of turnips,1343 also, as employed in medicine. The turnip with angular stalks and a flower like that of anise, and known by them as “bunion,”1344 is good for promoting the menstrual discharge in females and for affections1345 of the bladder; it acts, also, as a diuretic. For these purposes, a decoction of it is taken with hydromel, or else one drachma of the juice of the plant.1346 The seed, parched, and then beaten up, and taken in warm water, in doses of four cyathi, is a good remedy for dysentery; it will stop the passage of the urine, however, if linseed is not taken with it.
The other kind of turnip is known by the name of “bunias,”1347 and bears a considerable resemblance to the radish and the rape united, the seed of it enjoying the reputation of being a remedy for poisons; hence it is that we find it employed in antidotes.